Ben Hayward

Associate Director, Software Development & User Experience

Role: Ben is the Associate Director for Software Development and User Experience Design. His responsibilities include setting technical vision and strategy for Academic Innovation, overseeing user research and user interface development efforts across the Academic Innovation portfolio, providing leadership in application architecture, and directing the efforts of the Software Development and User Experience Design teams. He collaborates with other members of the Academic Innovation team as well as campus and external partners to construct and scale innovative educational applications into services that are available across the University of Michigan and partner institutions.

Experience: Prior to joining AI, Ben worked for the U-M Center for Health Communication Research where he led development for a suite of native apps and web applications ranging from game development to surgery decision aids. He also worked with faculty to develop ideas into polished products for mass distribution.